Another Alternative Source of Images to Getty, etc.: Photoshelter

[DavidVGoliath]

Having viewed Matthew's recent post about alternative RM or RF image sources, might I also suggest that, whether you're looking for pre-existing images to license or a photographer to create bespoke works for you, end users should give Photoshelter a try?

The key benefit to using Photoshelter is that you will be communicating directly with the creator of the works and, when licensing terms are agreed, at least 89% of the revenue goes straight to the photographer - unlike image agencies who can hoard as much as 90% of the gross for themselves.

I can't stress enough that if both creators and image users want to see the likes of Getty consigned to history as the parasitic entity that they are, then finding a way to work together directly, cutting out as much of the middleman as possible, is the way to go. Portals like Photoshelter are an invaluable resource towards that goal.

So: if you're looking for pre-existing images, the link you'll want to use is

https://www.photoshelter.com/explore/index

If you'd like to find and commission a photographer for a bespoke project, the following link is best

https://www.photoshelter.com/explore/photographers

Thanks in advance to all readers for taking this into consideration and, if you find this information valuable, please share it.

[stinger]

I can't stress enough that if both creators and image users want to see the likes of Getty consigned to history as the parasitic entity that they are, then finding a way to work together directly, cutting out as much of the middleman as possible, is the way to go. Portals like Photoshelter are an invaluable resource towards that goal.

Well said, DvG!

[Matthew Chan]

DVG,

I am not opposed to the concept of buying directly from the photographer and bypass the middleman as much as possible. 

However, many people here are getting hit because of using a photo on a blog post on a relatively low-trafficked website. For most people, using an image on a blog post means they want some economy and simplicity.

I just visited your recommended site and decided to look up something very mundane like a school bus or a stop sign.  The best deal I could find for a web use image for a school bus was $25. And a few stop sign images had "rights-managed" and you have to fill in some forms to get a price. I am not going to pay $25 for any image on a single blog post. I don't think most people will either. Most people aren't going to go through the trouble of getting a quote for a few dollar image when you can go to Pond5 and CanStockPhoto and buy them cheap and fast. It is too easy to just go there and make a quick purchase and be done with it.

But the website you recommended made me work too hard for a photo of a stop sign.  That is way too much work for something so mundane. I will just have to go outside and go to the street corner to get my own photo of a stop sign, a traffic light, or a school bus, for example.  How much is someone going to pay for a picture of the sky and clouds, right? Or some ordinary car? I want them for blog posts, not high quality printed matter.

It has to be economical and easy without onerous usage terms. And thus far, CanStockPhoto and Pond5 have met those terms. I suspect the majority of people will agree with my sentiments.

And for example, I like JCPenney for business shots. They make it easy for you to reproduce the photos to use in print or web.  They have a generous licensing agreement.  But some private photogs are some onerous policies of headshot use.

But I remain open to other photog-based options if they are reasonable.